Feb 14, 2010

Tobacco-Free Kids - Save lives & billion$

Source: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

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By increasing cigarette taxes by $1 per pack, the states could raise more than $9 billion in new annual revenue to help close severe budget shortfalls, while also reducing smoking and saving lives, according to a new report released today by a coalition of public health organizations.

A national poll released along with the report finds that 67 percent of voters support a $1 tobacco tax increase. The poll also found that voters far prefer higher tobacco taxes to other options, such as other tax increases or budget cuts, for addressing state budget deficits.

  • Raise $9.1 billion in new annual revenue;
  • Prevent more than 2.3 million kids from becoming smokers;
  • Prompt more than 1.2 million adult smokers to quit;
  • Prevent more than 1 million premature, smoking-caused deaths; and
  • Save $52.8 billion in health care costs.

Link VIA Kennedy at DocUticker